William Zabka

William Michael “Billy” Zabka (; born October 20, 1965) is an American actor. He is best known for his role of Johnny Lawrence in The Karate Kid (1984), The Karate Kid Part II (1986), and the TV series Cobra Kai (2018–2025). Zabka's career took off with The Karate Kid, despite having no prior karate training. During the 1980s, he appeared in the films Just One of the Guys (1985), Back to School (1986), and the television series The Equalizer (1986–1989). In the 1990s and 2000s, Zabka focused on independent films and filmmaking. In 2004, he was nominated for an Academy Award for co-writing and producing the short film Most. Zabka continued his directing career, including music videos for Rascal Flatts. From 2018 to 2025, he reprised his role as Johnny Lawrence in the YouTube Red and Netflix series Cobra Kai, which he co-executive produced with Karate Kid costar Ralph Macchio.

Infobox

Born

William Michael Zabka (1965-10-20) October 20, 1965 (age 60)New York City, New York, U.S.

Education

California State University, Northridge (dropped out)

Occupations

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Years active

1982–present

Spouse

mw- Stacie Zabka (m. 2008)

Children

Tables

· Filmography › Film

1984

The Karate Kid

Role(s)

Johnny Lawrence

1985

Just One of the Guys

Role(s)

Greg Tolan

National Lampoon's European Vacation

Role(s)

Jack

1986

Back to School

Role(s)

Chas Osborne

The Karate Kid Part II

Role(s)

Johnny Lawrence

Notes

Minor role

Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story

Role(s)

Kim Fisher

Notes

TV movie

1988

A Tiger's Tale

Role(s)

Randy

1989

The Karate Kid Part III

Role(s)

Johnny Lawrence

Notes

Archive footage

Protect and Surf

Role(s)

Russell Cooper

Notes

TV Movie

1991

For Parents Only

Role(s)

Ted

Notes

Alternative title: Mean Parents Suck

1992

Shootfighter: Fight to the Death

Role(s)

Ruben

Notes

Alternative title: Shootfighter

1994

Unlawful Passage

Role(s)

Howie

1995

Shootfighter II

Role(s)

Ruben

The Power Within

Role(s)

Raymond Vonn

Notes

Alternative title: Power Man

1996

To the Ends of Time

Role(s)

Alexander

1997

High Voltage

Role(s)

Bulldog

1999

Interceptors

Role(s)

Dave

Notes

Alternative titles: Interceptor ForcePredator 3: InterceptersThe Last Line of Defence

2001

Epoch

Role(s)

Joe

Notes

Television movie

Python

Role(s)

Greg Larsen

Notes

Television movie

Falcon Down

Role(s)

Security Guard John

Ablaze

Role(s)

Curt Peters

Mindstorm

Role(s)

Rojack

Notes

Alternative titles: Artificial TelepathyProject: Human Weapon

2002

Gale Force

Role(s)

Rance

Python II

Role(s)

Greg Larsen

Notes

Television movie, credited as Billy Zabka

Hyper Sonic

Role(s)

The Executive

Landspeed

Role(s)

Bob Bailey

Dark Descent

Role(s)

Marty (Opening credits only)

Notes

Alternative title: Descent Into Darkness

Antibody

Role(s)

Otto Emmerick

2003

Most

Role(s)

Notes

Alternative title: The Bridge, screenwriter & producer

2004

Roomies

Role(s)

Slick Salesman

Notes

Alternative title: Wild Roomies

2007

Smiley Face

Role(s)

Prison guard

Cake: A Wedding Story

Role(s)

Sam

Notes

Alternative title: Cake: A Wedding Comedy

Starting from Scratch

Role(s)

Bill Bowman

2010

Hot Tub Time Machine

Role(s)

Rick Steelman

Mean Parents Suck

Role(s)

Detective Ted Clement

2011

Cross

Role(s)

Griff

2014

Where Hope Grows

Role(s)

Milton Malcolm

2015

The Dog Who Saved Summer

Role(s)

Officer Johnny & Apollo (Voice)

Notes

Dual Role

2016

The Man in the Silo

Role(s)

Kevin

2024

The Cobra Kai Movie

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Short Film

2025

Karate Kid: Legends

Role(s)

Johnny Lawrence

Notes

Cameo

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1984	The Karate Kid	Johnny Lawrence
1985	Just One of the Guys	Greg Tolan
1985	National Lampoon's European Vacation	Jack
1986	Back to School	Chas Osborne
	The Karate Kid Part II	Johnny Lawrence	Minor role
	Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story	Kim Fisher	TV movie
1988	A Tiger's Tale	Randy
1989	The Karate Kid Part III	Johnny Lawrence	Archive footage
1989	Protect and Surf	Russell Cooper	TV Movie
1991	For Parents Only	Ted	Alternative title: Mean Parents Suck
1992	Shootfighter: Fight to the Death	Ruben	Alternative title: Shootfighter
1994	Unlawful Passage	Howie
1995	Shootfighter II	Ruben
1995	The Power Within	Raymond Vonn	Alternative title: Power Man
1996	To the Ends of Time	Alexander
1997	High Voltage	Bulldog
1999	Interceptors	Dave	Alternative titles: Interceptor ForcePredator 3: InterceptersThe Last Line of Defence
2001	Epoch	Joe	Television movie
	Python	Greg Larsen	Television movie
	Falcon Down	Security Guard John
2001	Ablaze	Curt Peters
2001	Mindstorm	Rojack	Alternative titles: Artificial TelepathyProject: Human Weapon
2002	Gale Force	Rance
	Python II	Greg Larsen	Television movie, credited as Billy Zabka
	Hyper Sonic	The Executive
	Landspeed	Bob Bailey
	Dark Descent	Marty (Opening credits only)	Alternative title: Descent Into Darkness
	Antibody	Otto Emmerick
2003	Most	-	Alternative title: The Bridge, screenwriter & producer
2004	Roomies	Slick Salesman	Alternative title: Wild Roomies
2007	Smiley Face	Prison guard
	Cake: A Wedding Story	Sam	Alternative title: Cake: A Wedding Comedy
	Starting from Scratch	Bill Bowman
2010	Hot Tub Time Machine	Rick Steelman
2010	Mean Parents Suck	Detective Ted Clement
2011	Cross	Griff
2014	Where Hope Grows	Milton Malcolm
2015	The Dog Who Saved Summer	Officer Johnny & Apollo (Voice)	Dual Role
2016	The Man in the Silo	Kevin
2024	The Cobra Kai Movie	Himself	Short Film
2025	Karate Kid: Legends	Johnny Lawrence	Cameo

· Filmography › Television

1983

The Greatest American Hero

Role(s)

Clarence Mortner Jr.

Notes

1 episode

1984

Gimme a Break!

Role(s)

Jeffery

Notes

1 episode

CBS Schoolbreak Special

Role(s)

Rick Peterson

Notes

1 episode

1984–1985

Role(s)

E/R

Notes

Druggie Kid/Thief

1985–1989

Role(s)

The Equalizer

Notes

Scott McCall

2001

18 Wheels of Justice

Role(s)

Det. Barron

Notes

1 episode

2011

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Role(s)

Johnny Lawrence

Notes

1 episode

2013

Robot Chicken

Role(s)

Johnny Lawrence, Gibby, American Werewolf (voice)

Notes

Guest, season 6, episode 15, "Caffeine-Induced Aneurysm"

2013–2014

Role(s)

How I Met Your Mother

Notes

Clown/himself

2014

Psych

Role(s)

Coach Bagg

Notes

Guest star: A Nightmare on State Street

2015

Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street

Role(s)

Sensei Jeff

Notes

Guest, season 2, episode 9, "Stanley and the Tattoo of Tall Tales"

To Appomattox

Role(s)

John Rawlins

Notes

TV Miniseries

2018–2025

Role(s)

Cobra Kai

Notes

Johnny Lawrence

2024

Password

Role(s)

Celebrity Guest

Notes

Game Show

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Role(s)

Himself/guest

Notes

1 episode

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1983	The Greatest American Hero	Clarence Mortner Jr.	1 episode
1984	Gimme a Break!	Jeffery	1 episode
1984	CBS Schoolbreak Special	Rick Peterson	1 episode
1984–1985	E/R	Druggie Kid/Thief	1 episode
1985–1989	The Equalizer	Scott McCall	episodes from "The Equalizer" (Pilot S1.E1)to "Time Present, Time Past" (S4.E16)
2001	18 Wheels of Justice	Det. Barron	1 episode
2011	Jimmy Kimmel Live!	Johnny Lawrence	1 episode
2013	Robot Chicken	Johnny Lawrence, Gibby, American Werewolf (voice)	Guest, season 6, episode 15, "Caffeine-Induced Aneurysm"
2013–2014	How I Met Your Mother	Clown/himself	Guest star (Season 8), recurring role (Season 9)
2014	Psych	Coach Bagg	Guest star: A Nightmare on State Street
2015	Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street	Sensei Jeff	Guest, season 2, episode 9, "Stanley and the Tattoo of Tall Tales"
2015	To Appomattox	John Rawlins	TV Miniseries
2018–2025	Cobra Kai	Johnny Lawrence	Main role, also executive producer and directed episode "Rattled"
2024	Password	Celebrity Guest	Game Show
2024	The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon	Himself/guest	1 episode

· Video games

2020

Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues

Role(s)

Johnny Lawrence (voice)

2022

Cobra Kai 2: Dojos Rising

Role(s)

Johnny Lawrence (voice)

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2020	Cobra Kai: The Karate Kid Saga Continues	Johnny Lawrence (voice)
2022	Cobra Kai 2: Dojos Rising	Johnny Lawrence (voice)

· Award nominations

1985

Young Artist Award

Role(s)

Best Young Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Musical, Comedy, Adventure or Drama

Notes

The Karate Kid

2003

Palm Springs International ShortFest

Role(s)

Best of the festival

Notes

Most (shared with Bobby Garabedian)

Dances With Films

Role(s)

Best of the festival

Notes

Most (shared with Bobby Garabedian)

Heartland International Film Festival

Role(s)

Crystal Heart Award

Notes

Most (shared with Bobby Garabedian)

2004

Academy Awards

Role(s)

Best Live Action Short Film

Notes

Most (shared with Bobby Garabedian)

2018

IGN Summer Movie Awards

Role(s)

Best Comedic TV Performance

Notes

Cobra Kai

2020

MTV Movie & TV Awards: Greatest of All Time

Role(s)

Zero to Hero

Notes

Karate kid/Cobra Kai

2021

Online Film & Television Association

Role(s)

Best Actor in a Comedy Series

Notes

Cobra Kai

Primetime Emmy

Role(s)

Outstanding Comedy Series

Notes

Cobra Kai (shared)

2022

Critics Choice Super Awards

Role(s)

Best Actor in an Action Series

Notes

Cobra Kai

2023

Critics Choice Super Awards

Role(s)

Best Actor in an Action Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie

Notes

Cobra Kai

Online Film & Television Association

Role(s)

Best Actor in a Comedy Series

Notes

Cobra Kai

Year	Award	Category	Film	Result
1985	Young Artist Award	Best Young Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Musical, Comedy, Adventure or Drama	The Karate Kid	Nominated
2003	Palm Springs International ShortFest	Best of the festival	Most (shared with Bobby Garabedian)	Won
2003	Dances With Films	Best of the festival	Most (shared with Bobby Garabedian)	Won
2003	Heartland International Film Festival	Crystal Heart Award	Most (shared with Bobby Garabedian)	Won
2004	Academy Awards	Best Live Action Short Film	Most (shared with Bobby Garabedian)	Nominated
2018	IGN Summer Movie Awards	Best Comedic TV Performance	Cobra Kai	Nominated
2020	MTV Movie & TV Awards: Greatest of All Time	Zero to Hero	Karate kid/Cobra Kai	Won
2021	Online Film & Television Association	Best Actor in a Comedy Series	Cobra Kai	Nominated
2021	Primetime Emmy	Outstanding Comedy Series	Cobra Kai (shared)	Nominated
2022	Critics Choice Super Awards	Best Actor in an Action Series	Cobra Kai	Nominated
2023	Critics Choice Super Awards	Best Actor in an Action Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie	Cobra Kai	Nominated
2023	Online Film & Television Association	Best Actor in a Comedy Series	Cobra Kai	Nominated

References

Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television
https://books.google.com/books?id=DBhI_8ccuB4C&q=william+zabka+born
Men's Health
https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a27115918/cobra-kai-william-zabka-karate-kid/
Kung Fu Magazine
http://www.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=899
IMDb
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0951420/awards
Filmreference.com
http://www.filmreference.com/film/97/William-Zabka.html
Encyclopedia of Bohemian and Czech-American Biography
https://books.google.com/books?id=cIKQDQAAQBAJ&dq=%22Stanley+%27Stan%27+William+Zabka+%281924%29%2C+b.+Des+Moines%22&pg=PT74
Zabka.com
http://www.zabka.com/aboutus
UPROXX
https://uproxx.com/tv/billy-zabka-interview-cobra-kai/
Uproxx
https://uproxx.com/tv/billy-zabka-interview-cobra-kai/
The A.V. Club
https://www.avclub.com/william-zabka-1798220407
Vulture
http://www.vulture.com/2014/03/billy-zabka-himym-karate-kid-psych-interview.html
GQ
https://www.gq.com/story/billy-zabka-interview-karate-kid
The Hollywood Reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/karate-kid-tv-sequel-starring-ralph-macchio-william-zabka-a-go-at-youtube-red-1014453
Heavy
https://heavy.com/entertainment/cobra-kai/karate-kid-cast-2007-music-video/
No More Kings "Sweep the Leg" (No More Kings Official YouTube Page) on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3iYmgDJ4FE
USA Today
https://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/10/karate-kid-billy-zabka-cobra-kai-30th-anniversary
Standard Newswire
https://standardnewswire.com/white-wanderer-aka-mzungu-a-crucial-documentary-addressing-global-crises-and-the-power-of-compassion-coming-august-5-2025/
Entertainment Weekly
https://web.archive.org/web/20180616204218/http://ew.com/movies/the-karate-kid-where-are-they-now/william-zabka-johnny-lawrence/
ABC News
https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/ralph-macchio-star-karate-kid-series-cobra-kai/story?id=49032276
MSN
https://web.archive.org/web/20180322204440/https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/karate-kid-tv-sequel-starring-ralph-macchio-and-william-zabka-a-go-at-youtube-red-exclusive/ar-AAppo5s
/Film
https://www.slashfilm.com/cobra-kai-reunion-episode/
Entertainment Weekly
https://ew.com/cobra-kai-season-6-premiere-date-first-look-photos-8642049
Netflix Junkie
https://www.netflixjunkie.com/netflix-hollywood-news-cobra-kai-creator-ignites-emmy-shouts-for-william-zabka-for-legendary-run-with-netflix-series
Digital Spy
https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a61620716/cobra-kai-season-6-william-zabka/
The Hollywood Reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/william-zabka-cobra-kai-ending-johnny-lawrence-1236141345/
William Zabka Teaches Jimmy a Signature Karate Move, Talks Magic of Mr. Miyagi (Extended)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KNJlNC83CY
Yahoo Entertainment
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/pajama-password-keke-palmer-william-043500738.html
Inverse
https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/karate-kid-legends-ending-explained-cobra-kai-cameo-william-zabka
People
https://people.com/tv/karate-kid-bully-william-zabka-on-his-transformation-to-hero-in-cobra-kai/
People.com
https://people.com/cobra-kai-castmates-ralph-macchio-william-zabka-still-do-karate-stay-fit-exclusive-8680899
Black Belt Magazine
https://www.blackbeltmag.com/icons-of-cobra-kai
Guitar World
https://www.guitarworld.com/features/cobra-kai-billy-zabka
www.prnewswire.com
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/whisky-a-go-go-hosts-concert-featuring-music-of-cobra-kai-on-june-12-300836958.html
Enter the Dojo: The Music of Cobra Kai Live! w/ William Zabka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Mz4dPOEHjQ